Backpacking to North Dome

A short hike yields epic views of Half Dome, Cloud’s Rest, and a variety of beautiful plants.

By Kirk van Gorkom

June 3^rd, 2022

We departed late in the afternoon from Porcupine Creek trailhead. While I've never seen a porcupine there, this is one of my favorite parts of Yosemite's forests. Winding past large fir trees and meadows, the trail descends southward towards North Dome and Yosemite Valley.

Numerous wildflowers and small stream crossings usually give pause for photo opportunities, but as evening approaches there isn't enough time. We press on rapidly, and make note of places to stop on the way back.

Glancing back to the north after about 3 miles, we spot a glimpse of Yosemite's only natural arch, a fascinating piece of granite known as "Indian Arch."

Visiting the arch is a delightful and shorter hike, which provides similar (though less spectacular) views to the ones we'll see later from above North Dome. It's easily done in a day, and highly recommended.

Looking northward from the trail to North Dome, Indian Arch is visible in the distance.

Close-up photo, looking northward from the trail to North Dome. Indian Arch is visible in the distance.

One of Yosemite's wilderness rangers sits next to Indian Arch (for scale). Photo taken during a previous day hike, in 2021.

Two backpackers following a trail southward through a thinned forest of pines and firs, with Mount Starr-King peeking through the trees.

Panoramic view of Cloud's Rest and Half Dome, from the granite slopes above North Dome

Emerging from the forest onto a wide granite dome, the views are breathtaking. Looking down at North Dome, Half Dome, Basket Dome, and Illilouette Falls to the south, and west over to Cloud's Rest and Yosemite's vast wilderness, it's almost beyond words.

Half Dome as seen from granite slopes above North Dome

Looking down at North Dome, and Illilouette Falls across Yosemite Valley

Clouds Rest and the distant peaks of Yosemite's western wilderness underneath a dramatic clouded sky

Looking down at Basket Dome in front of Cloud's Rest, from the granite slopes above North Dome

We stop to make a dinner of pasta and fresh veggies as the sun sets, re-painting Half Dome in blue.

The morning light gives me a chance to explore and document the exotic flowers which grow in this high-altitude environment. Rooted in decomposed granite that hardly qualifies as soil, these plants are hardy survivors, generally staying low to the ground in tiny bits of shelter.